variants
also skunk
as in dogs
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
he's nothing but a dirty, rotten skunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bombs
to defeat by a large margin
we ended up skunking them, as our goalie was able to prevent the other team from scoring a single goal
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in masters
to achieve a victory over
our football team consistently skunks our traditional rivals Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stings
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
unwilling to let suppliers skunk him, the restaurant owner inspected every shipment before signing off on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of skunks
Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Rabies is most common in wild animals including skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes.
—Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
Around ponds, frogs and toads will be eaten, and when worms emerge after rainfall, skunks will eagerly feed on those.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Things start with dead skunks in a pool and only get (far, far) worse from there.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Fleas are carried constantly into your yard by wildlife that passes through, such as skunks, raccoons, opossums, mice, and deer, says Benson.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Noun
Some homeowners claim the soap's strong scent can help discourage skunks from lingering near flower beds, garbage cans and other areas around the home.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Rabies is most common in wild animals including skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes.
—Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
Around ponds, frogs and toads will be eaten, and when worms emerge after rainfall, skunks will eagerly feed on those.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Things start with dead skunks in a pool and only get (far, far) worse from there.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Fleas are carried constantly into your yard by wildlife that passes through, such as skunks, raccoons, opossums, mice, and deer, says Benson.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skunks
Noun
-
The parasite has the cattle and dairy industry on edge, but in Mexico, screwworm has also been found in bears, pigs, goats, and even dogs and cats.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
Keep dogs under control Your dog may be friendly.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The campus is eerily silent, even as Israel attacks Lebanon and the United States bombs Iran.—
Jonathan Zimmerman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
The United States bombs Iran's nuclear facilities days later.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Finally, Kim masters the steps and takes to the stage with confidence, as her family cheers her on!—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
The future belongs to the developer who masters the ability to break down human expertise into reusable agent skills.—
Mohith Shrivastava,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This stings even more on the heels of Hyatt’s award chart overhaul, which now has five price tiers instead of three.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
-
The loss stings even more because Tiafoe is comfortable in these moments.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Bunch of virtue signaling clowns!—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
-
The tumbles and trust falls might start to scare you, but this is hardly these clowns’ first rodeo.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The vessel bends, blocks, and whips the wind into complex micro-currents before the air ever hits the sails.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
-
In the fourth minute, Meschack Elia whips a ball across the box to Bakambu, eight yards from goal.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Danny Harris defeats Edwin Moses in the 400 hurdles at a meet in Madrid, ending the longest winning streak in track and field.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
But when a brutish — and handsome — newcomer named Sir Tristam defeats Sir Palomides in a tournament, Princess Isode finds her plans thwarted.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Though Lesnar rarely cheats to win, Femi isn’t going to lose clean.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Five average players committed to protecting the middle of the ice are more effective than four great ones and one who cheats for offence.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skunks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunks. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
